U.S. patent application number 09/789737 was filed with the patent office on 2001-10-11 for shift lever device.
Invention is credited to Fukuda, Keizo, Suzuki, Yutaka.
Application Number | 20010027891 09/789737 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 18582630 |
Filed Date | 2001-10-11 |
United States Patent
Application |
20010027891 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Suzuki, Yutaka ; et
al. |
October 11, 2001 |
Shift lever device
Abstract
A gate-type shift lever device in which a pin is formed at a
mounting piece formed at a back wall portion of a base, which pin
axially supports a plate switch. Two levers are formed at the plate
switch. A shift lever abuts and presses one of the levers during a
shift operation from a "D" position to a "4" position. The shift
lever abuts and presses another of the levers, during a shift
operation from a "2" position to an "L" position. In accordance
with rotation of the plate switch due to the pressing forces
received by the levers, a holder contact moves transversely. Thus,
the shift operations from the "D" position to the "4" position and
from the "2" position to the "L" position can be detected.
Inventors: |
Suzuki, Yutaka; (Niwa-Gun,
JP) ; Fukuda, Keizo; (Niwa-Gun, JP) |
Correspondence
Address: |
NIXON PEABODY, LLP
8180 GREENSBORO DRIVE
SUITE 800
MCLEAN
VA
22102
US
|
Family ID: |
18582630 |
Appl. No.: |
09/789737 |
Filed: |
February 22, 2001 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
180/336 ; 701/51;
701/52 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F16H 59/105 20130101;
Y10T 74/20085 20150115; Y10T 74/20067 20150115; Y10T 74/20159
20150115 |
Class at
Publication: |
180/336 ; 701/51;
701/52 |
International
Class: |
B60K 017/00 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Mar 7, 2000 |
JP |
2000-62655 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A shift lever device including a shift lever operable along
first and second directions which are perpendicular to each other,
said shift lever device switching shift ranges set in a
transmission by operations of said shift lever, said operations
including a first operation in which said shift lever is moved in
said second direction from a predetermined position along said
first direction and a second operation in which said shift lever is
moved in a direction opposite to the direction of said first
operation from a position which is displaced along said first
direction from said predetermined position, and said shift lever
device comprising: a movement body axially supported to be
rotatable about a third direction which is perpendicular to both
said first direction and said second direction, said movement body
having a first abutting portion which abuts said shift lever at a
second direction side of said shift lever during said first
operation, said movement body being rotated from an initial
position to a first detection position by pressing force from said
shift lever abutting said first abutting portion, said movement
body having a second abutting portion which abuts said shift lever
at a side thereof opposite said second direction side during said
second operation, and said movement body being rotated to a second
detection position, which is at a side of said initial position
opposite from said first detection position, by pressing force from
said shift lever abutting said second abutting portion; and a
detector which detects presence of said movement body at said
initial position, at said first detection position and at said
second detection position.
2. The shift lever device according to claim 1, further comprising
a base mounted to a vehicle, which base supports said shift lever
and axially supports said movement body substantially at a
transverse direction center of said vehicle, wherein said movement
body has the form of a plate whose thickness direction is along
said third direction.
3. The shift lever device according to claim 1, further comprising
a base mounted to a vehicle, which base supports said shift lever
and axially supports said movement body substantially at a
transverse direction center of said vehicle, wherein said movement
body has the form of a block whose thickness direction is along
said third direction.
4. The shift lever device according to claim 1, wherein said first
detection position corresponds to a predetermined shift range, and
said second detection position corresponds to another predetermined
shift range.
5. The shift lever device according to claim 2, said detector
comprising: a slidable member which can slide to electrical
connection positions corresponding to said first and second
detection positions; a plate member which is mounted at a surface
of said base; and a box-shaped connector portion which is formed at
a lower end of said plate member, wherein said plate member
includes a pair of rails by which said slidable member is slidably
supported via wall portions.
6. The shift lever device according to claim 3, wherein said
detector further comprising: a slidable member which can slide to
electrical connection positions corresponding to said first and
second detection positions; a plate member which is mounted at a
surface of said base; and a box-shaped connector portion which is
formed at a lower end of said plate member, wherein said plate
member includes a pair of rails by which said slidable member is
slidably supported via wall portions.
7. The shift lever device according to claim 5, wherein a plurality
of fixed contacts is formed on said plate member between said pair
of rails, and an electrical conduction path between said fixed
contacts is connected to said connector portion.
8. The shift lever device according to claim 5, wherein said
movement body includes a substantially V-shaped operation portion
which extends in a direction opposite to a direction in which said
first and second abutting members extend, which passes through a
through-hole formed in said plate member, and which engages with
said slidable member to enable sliding thereof.
9. The shift lever according to claim 6, wherein a plurality of
fixed contacts is formed on said plate member between said pair of
rails, and an electrical conduction path that is connected to said
connector portion is completed by a combination of said fixed
contacts.
10. The shift lever device according to claim 6, wherein said
movement body includes a substantially V-shaped operation portion
which extends in a direction opposite to a direction in which said
first and second abutting members extend, which passes through a
through-hole formed in said plate member, and which engages with
said slidable member to enable sliding thereof.
11. A device for selecting shift ranges in a transmission in a
vehicle, the device comprising: (a) a shift lever having opposite
ends with one end connectable to the vehicle and at least the other
end movable relative to the vehicle in a first direction and a
second direction substantially perpendicular to the first
direction, with operations of the shift lever selecting
transmission shift ranges in the vehicle transmission, the
operations including: (i) a first operation in which the shift
lever is moved in the second direction from a position along the
first direction; and (ii) a second operation in which the shift
lever is moved opposite the second direction from a position spaced
from said first direction; and (b) a movement body axially
supported along a third direction substantially perpendicular to
both the first and second directions, and rotatable to an initial
position, a first detection position, and a second detection
position, with the first and second detection positions at opposite
sides of the initial position, the movement body having first and
second abutting portions, the first abutting portion abutting the
shift lever at a second direction side of the shift lever during
the first operation, which subjects the first abutting portion to
pressing force and causes the movement body to rotate from the
initial position to the first detection position, the second
abutting portion abutting the shift lever at a side opposite said
second direction side during the second operation, which subjects
the second abutting portion to pressing force and causes the
movement body to rotate to the second detection position; and (c) a
detector which detects whether the movement body has been rotated
to the initial position, the first detection position, and the
second detection position.
12. The device of claim 11, further comprising a base mountable to
the vehicle, with the shift lever being connected to the vehicle
via the base, and the base axially supporting the movement body
substantially at a transverse direction center of the vehicle,
wherein the movement body has a form in a plate-shape, with
thickness of the plate-shape oriented along the third
direction.
13. The device of claim 11, further comprising a base mountable to
the vehicle, with the shift lever being connected to the vehicle
via the base, and the base axially supporting the movement body
substantially at a transverse direction center of the vehicle,
wherein the movement body has a form in a block-shape, with a
thickness of the block-shape oriented along the third
direction.
14. The device of claim 11, wherein said first detection position
corresponds to predetermined shift range, and said second detection
position corresponds to another predetermined shift range.
15. The device of claim 12, wherein the detector includes: a plate
member having an electrical connector, and a pair of rails; and a
slidable member movably slidable along the rails on the plate
member to positions completing an electrical connection on the
plate member.
16. The device of claim 12, wherein the detector includes: a plate
member having an electrical connector, and a pair of rails; and a
slidable member movably slidable along the rails on the plate
member to positions completing an electrical circuit on the plate
member.
17. The device of claim 15, wherein a plurality of electrical
contacts is formed on the plate member between the pair of rails,
with the contacts electrically connected to the electrical
connector.
18. The device of claim 15, wherein the plate member includes a
through-hole and the movement body includes a substantially
V-shaped operation portion extending in a direction opposite to a
direction in which the first and second abutting members extend,
and passing through the through-hole formed in said plate-shaped
member, and engaging with the slidable member.
19. A device for use with a shift lever device in operating a
transmission in a vehicle, wherein the shift lever device includes
a housing having a surface at which a polygonal shift hole is
formed, a base fixed to the vehicle and supporting the housing, and
a shift lever supported by the base and movable along the shift
hole, the device comprising: a movement body mountable to a surface
of the base and axially supported thereby, the movement body
including first and second abutting portions which cooperatively
form with one another a configuration substantially corresponding
to a V-shape, each abutment portion extending to an extent
sufficient that the abutment portion is abutted by the shift lever
when the shift lever is moved to at least one location along the
shift hole; and a detector mountable adjacent the base, and
operable for detecting at least two kinds of abutment of the shift
lever against the movement body, the detector including an engaging
portion, which engages with the movement body and a slidable member
which slides to positions completing an electrical connection
according to the kind of abutment.
20. The device of claim 19, wherein the slidable member includes at
least one wall portion and the detector includes: a plate member
mountable to one surface of the base, and having a pair of rails on
which the slidable member is slidably supported via the at least
one wall portion; and a connector portion formed on the plate
member.
21. The device of claim 19, wherein at least two kinds of abutment
of the shift lever against the movement body correspond
respectively to predetermined shift ranges.
22. The device of claim 20, wherein the plate member includes a
through-hole, the engaging portion includes a pin, and the movement
body includes an operation portion substantially corresponding to a
V-shape, the operation portion extending in a direction opposite to
a direction in which the first and second abutting members extend
and passes through the through-hole in the plate member, and a
surface of the operation portion presses the pin during movement of
the movement body for enabling sliding of the slidable member.
23. The device of claim 20, wherein a plurality of electrical
contacts is formed on the plate member between the pair of rails,
with the contacts electrically connected to the connector
portion.
24. The device of claim 23, wherein the slidable member includes at
a surface at which the at least one wall portion is formed, a slide
contact disposed in correspondence with the plurality of electrical
contacts.
25. A method for receiving shift range selections for a vehicle
transmission via a shift lever device, wherein the shift lever
device includes a shift lever movable by a user for selecting a
shift range, the method comprising the steps of: (a) movably
mounting a movement body at a position wherein shift lever
movements abut the movement body, resulting in different positions
of the movement body according to shift lever movements; (b)
detecting the position of the movement body; and (c) interpreting
the detected position of the movement body as a shift range
selection.
26. The method of claim 25, wherein the shift lever device includes
a base, and the step of movably mounting a movement body, includes
axially supporting the movement body on a surface of the base.
27. The method of claim 25, wherein the step of detecting the
position of the movement body is performed by determining whether
an electrical connection has been completed due to a position of
the movement body.
28. The method of claim 27, wherein determining whether an
electrical connection has been completed is performed by providing
electrical contacts and a slider driven by the movement body,
wherein slider movement electrically connects contacts to one
another according to movement positions of the shift lever.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] 1. Field of the Invention
[0002] The present invention relates to a shift lever device for
operating a transmission of a vehicle.
[0003] 2. Description of the Related Art
[0004] As an operation device for changing shift ranges set in an
automatic transmission of a vehicle by operating automatic
transmission of the vehicle from within the vehicle, there has been
generally used a shift lever device which has a bar-shaped shift
lever and which operates the automatic transmission by
pivot-operating the shift lever.
[0005] Among such shift lever devices, there is a so-called
straight-type shift lever device in which a shift lever is
pivot-operated (linearly operated as seen from above) only about an
axis whose direction corresponds substantially to the vehicle
transverse direction. Other than the straight-type shift lever
device, there is also provided a so-called gate-type shift lever
device in which a shift lever is pivot-operated in a zigzag pattern
about an axis which corresponds substantially to the vehicle
transverse direction and about an axis which corresponds
substantially to the vehicle longitudinal direction.
[0006] In this gate-type shift lever device, as described above,
the shift lever is operated in a zigzag pattern. Thus the shift
lever of the gate-type shift lever device can be operated for a
longer distance as seen from above, in a range for disposing the
shift lever device which range is as large as or shorter than that
of the straight-type shift lever device, in which the shift lever
is linearly operated as seen from above. Accordingly, an automatic
transmission which uses the gate-type shift lever device has an
advantage that more shift ranges can be set than in the automatic
transmission which uses the straight-type shift lever device.
[0007] FIG. 10 is a plan view of an example of a housing 402 used
in a gate-type shift lever device 400. The housing 402 is a molded
product which is integrally molded from, for example, a synthetic
resin material. The housing 402 is usually formed in a plate shape
or in a box shape so as to open substantially toward the vehicle
downward side. Further, the housing 402 is disposed between a
driver's seat and a front passenger's seat such that a main surface
thereof faces substantially in the vehicle upward direction. A
shift hole 406, through which a bar-shaped shift lever 404 whose
longitudinal direction is substantially along the vehicle vertical
direction passes, is formed in the main surface of the housing 402.
The shift hole 406 is a zigzag substantially along the vehicle
longitudinal direction and the vehicle transverse direction. The
shift lever 404 moves in a zigzag pattern, as seen from above,
within the shift hole 406. In FIG. 10, circles formed by solid
lines or two-dot-chain lines indicate particular positions of the
shift lever 404. Characters and numbers within the circles indicate
shift ranges at respective positions. Arrows A through G which are
indicated by the solid lines and which connect the circles indicate
a locus of movement of the shift lever 404.
[0008] As shown in FIG. 10, in a case in which an automatic
transmission is set to a parking range (which hereinafter is simply
referred to as the "P range") in which driving wheels of the
vehicle are locked, the shift lever 404 is positioned at a "P
position" at which "P" is shown within the circle. When the setting
of the automatic transmission is changed from the P range to a
reverse range (which hereinafter is simply referred to as the "R
range") in which the driving wheels of the vehicle are rotated in
reverse, the shift lever 404 is zigzag-moved along the arrow A
shown in FIG. 10 to an "R position" at which "R" is shown within
the circle. When the setting of the automatic transmission is
changed from the R range to a neutral range (which hereinafter is
simply referred to as the "N range") in which the driving wheels of
the vehicle become free, the shift lever 404 is moved along the
arrow B shown in FIG. 10 to an "N position" at which "N" is shown
within the circle. As described above, when the setting of the
automatic transmission is changed to a drive range (which
hereinafter is simply referred to as the "D range") in which the
driving wheels of the vehicle are rotated forward, a 4 range, a 3
range, a 2 range and a low range (which hereinafter is simply
referred to as the "L range") in which ranges the driving wheels of
the vehicle are rotated forward in transmission modes different
from that of the D range, the shift lever 404 is moved along the
arrows C, D, E, F and G to a "D position", a "4 position", a "3
position", a "2 position" and an "L position" at which positions
characters corresponding to respective ranges are shown within the
circles.
[0009] In the gate-type shift lever device 400 with the
above-described structure, a mechanical microswitch 408 is provided
at a back surface side of the housing 402. Movements of the shift
lever 404 between the D position and the 4 position are detected by
the microswitch 408. Further, another microswitch 410 is provided
at the back surface side of the housing 402. Movements of the shift
lever 404 between the 2 position and the L position are detected by
the microswitch 410.
[0010] However, providing the microswiches 408 and 410 may cause a
high manufacturing cost. The above-described shift lever device 400
needs to be further improved.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0011] In view of the aforementioned facts, an object of the
present invention is to provide a gate-type shift lever device with
an inexpensive manufacturing cost.
[0012] In accordance with a first aspect of the present invention,
there is provided a shift lever device including a shift lever
operable along first and second directions which are perpendicular
to each other, the shift lever device switching shift ranges set in
a transmission by operations of the shift lever, the operations
including a first operation in which the shift lever is moved in
the second direction from a predetermined position along the first
direction and a second operation in which the shift lever is moved
in a direction opposite to the direction of the first operation
from a position which is displaced along the first direction from
the predetermined position, and the shift lever device including: a
movement body axially supported to be rotatable about a third
direction which is perpendicular to both the first direction and
the second direction, the movement body having a first abutting
portion which abuts the shift lever at a second direction side of
the shift lever during the first operation, the movement body being
rotated from an initial position to a first detection position by
pressing force from the shift lever abutting the first abutting
portion, the movement body having a second abutting portion which
abuts the shift lever at a side thereof opposite the second
direction side during the second operation, and the movement body
being rotated to a second detection position, which is at a side of
the initial position opposite from the first detection position, by
pressing force from the shift lever abutting the second abutting
portion; and a detector which detects presence of the movement body
at the initial position, at the first detection position and at the
second detection position.
[0013] In the shift lever device with the above-described
structure, the shift range of the transmission of the vehicle is
switched to a shift range corresponding to the position of the
shift lever (shift position) by moving (shift-operating) the shift
lever in the first and second directions, which are perpendicular
to each other.
[0014] In the shift lever device of the present invention, when the
shift lever is shift-operated from a predetermined position along
the first direction to the second direction (that is, when the
first operation is effected), the shift lever abuts the first
abutting portion of the movement body and presses the first
abutting portion in an operation direction thereof. The movement
body receives pressing force from the shift lever at the first
abutting portion and rotates in one direction about an axis whose
direction is along a third direction, which is perpendicular to the
first and the second directions, such that the movement body
reaches, from the initial position, the first detection position.
The movement of the movement body from the initial position to the
first detection position is detected by the detector. Thus, it is
detected that the first operation of the shift lever has been
effected.
[0015] When the shift lever is shift-operated from a shift position
along the first direction, which is different from the
predetermined position of the first operation, along the second
direction, specifically, in a direction opposite to the direction
of the first operation (namely, when the second operation is
effected), the shift lever abuts the second abutting portion of the
movement body so as to press the second abutting portion in the
operation direction thereof. The movement body receives pressing
force from the shift lever at the second abutting portion and
rotates in a direction opposite to the rotation direction of the
first operation such that the movement body moves to the second
detection position, which is different from the initial position
and the first detection position. The movement of the movement body
to the second detection position is detected by the detector. Thus,
it is detected that the second operation of the shift lever has
been effected.
[0016] As described above, in the shift lever device of the present
invention, whether or not the first operation is effected and
whether or not the second operation is effected can be detected by
one movement body and one detector. Thus costs for manufacturing
and supplying parts can be reduced.
[0017] In the present invention, the first direction and the second
direction may be linear directions, respectively. Also, the first
direction may be a direction of rotation about an axis whose
direction is along the second direction. Moreover, the second
direction may be a direction of rotation about an axis whose
direction is along the first direction.
[0018] In accordance with the first aspect of the present
invention, preferably, the shift lever device further includes a
base mounted to a vehicle, which base supports the shift lever and
axially supports the movement body substantially at a transverse
direction center of the vehicle, wherein the movement body has the
form of a plate whose thickness direction is along the third
direction.
[0019] In the shift lever device with the above-described
structure, the shift lever and the movement body are supported by
the base. Here, the vehicle (automobile) includes so-called
right-hand drive cars in which a steering device is provided at the
right-hand side with respect to the vehicle transverse direction
center and so-called left-hand drive cars in which the steering
device is provided at the left-hand side with respect to the
vehicle transverse direction center. If the second direction, which
is a direction of pivot of the shift lever, is substantially the
vehicle longitudinal direction, in most cases, the pivot directions
of the first and the second operations of the shift lever in a
right-hand drive car are opposite to the same in a left-hand drive
car.
[0020] The movement body of the shift lever device of the present
invention is supported at a central portion of the base along the
first direction. If the movement body is turned over before being
disposed on the base, positions of the first and second abutting
portions are reversed with respect to an imaginary center line
passing through the central portion of the base along the first
direction. Thus, in a case in which the shift operation directions
of the shift lever of the right-hand drive car are the reverse of
the shift operation directions of the shift lever of the left-hand
drive car with respect to the imaginary center line, the movement
body can be reversed, the movement body can be used in either car,
which contributes to a manufacturing cost reduction.
[0021] In accordance with a second aspect of the present invention,
there is provided A device for selecting shift ranges in a
transmission in a vehicle, the device including a shift lever
having opposite ends with one end connectable to the vehicle and at
least the other end movable relative to the vehicle in a first
direction and a second direction substantially perpendicular to the
first direction, with operations of the shift lever selecting
transmission shift ranges in the vehicle transmission, the
operations including a first operation in which the shift lever is
moved in the second direction from a position along the first
direction; and a second operation in which the shift lever is moved
opposite the second direction from a position spaced from said
first direction; and a movement body axially supported along a
third direction substantially perpendicular to both the first and
second directions, and rotatable to an initial position, a first
detection position, and a second detection position, with the first
and second detection positions at opposite sides of the initial
position, the movement body having first and second abutting
portions, the first abutting portion abutting the shift lever at a
second direction side of the shift lever during the first
operation, which subjects the first abutting portion to pressing
force and causes the movement body to rotate from the initial
position to the first detection position, the second abutting
portion abutting the shift lever at a side opposite said second
direction side during the second operation, which subjects the
second abutting portion to pressing force and causes the movement
body to rotate to the second detection position; and a detector
which detects whether the movement body has been rotated to the
initial position, the first detection position, and the second
detection position.
[0022] In accordance with a third aspect of the present invention,
there is provided a method for receiving shift range selections for
a vehicle transmission via a shift lever device, wherein the shift
lever device includes a shift lever movable by a user for selecting
a shift range, the method comprising the steps of (a) movably
mounting a movement body at a position wherein shift lever
movements abut the movement body, resulting in different positions
of the movement body according to shift lever movements; (b)
detecting the position of the movement body; and (c) interpreting
the detected position of the movement body as a shift range
selection.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0023] FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view showing a structure
of a main portion of a shift lever relating to an embodiment of the
present invention.
[0024] FIG. 2 is a schematic plan view (showing a state in which
the shift lever is positioned at a D position).
[0025] FIG. 3 is a schematic plan view(showing a state in which the
shift lever is positioned at a 4 position).
[0026] FIG. 4 is a schematic plan view(showing a state in which the
shift lever is positioned at a 2 position).
[0027] FIG. 5 is a schematic plan view(showing a state in which the
shift lever is positioned at an L position).
[0028] FIG. 6 is an exploded perspective view showing a structure
of a detector (a switch).
[0029] FIG. 7 is a schematic front view of the switch showing a
state of the detector (the switch) when a movement body is
positioned at an initial position.
[0030] FIG. 8 is a schematic front view of the switch showing a
state of the detector (the switch) when the movement body is
positioned at a first detection position.
[0031] FIG. 9 is a schematic front view of the switch showing a
state of the detector (the switch) when the movement body is
positioned at a second detection position.
[0032] FIG. 10 is a schematic plan view of a conventional shift
lever device.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0033] FIG. 1 is an exploded view showing the overall structure of
a shift lever device 10 relating to an embodiment of the present
invention. In respective drawings including FIG. 1, the arrow FR
indicates substantially the vehicle forward direction, which is a
first direction, the arrow LF indicates substantially the vehicle
left-hand direction (the direction opposite to the direction
indicated by the arrow LF is substantially the vehicle right-hand
direction, which is a second direction), and the arrow UP indicates
substantially the vehicle upward-direction.
[0034] As shown in FIG. 1, the shift lever device 10 has a base 12.
The base 12 has side wall portions 14 and 16 which oppose each
other substantially in the vehicle transverse direction (i.e., the
direction indicated by the arrow LF and the direction opposite to
the direction indicated by the arrow LF in FIG. 1). The base 12 is
formed in a substantial box shape such that substantially the
vehicle upward side thereof (i.e., the side thereof in the
direction indicated by the arrow UP in FIG. 1) is open. A plurality
of fixing portions 18 formed at four corner portions of a lower end
portion of the base 12 are fixed in a vicinity of a floor portion
between a driver's seat and a front passenger's seat of a vehicle
by fastening devices (not shown) such as bolts which pass through
the fixing portions 18.
[0035] A retainer 22 which forms a shift lever 20 is disposed
between the side wall portions 14 and 16 of the base 12. The
retainer 22 has a cylinder portion 24 which has a through-hole
which passes through substantially along the vehicle transverse
direction. The cylinder portion 24 is disposed coaxially with
respect to circular holes 26 formed at the side wall portions 14
and 16 (only the circular hole 26 that is at the side of the side
wall portion 14 is shown in FIG. 1). In this state, a shaft control
30 serving as an axial member passes through the circular holes 26
and the cylinder portion 24. In this way, the retainer 22 is
axially supported so as to be pivotable in a predetermined range
with an axial direction being substantially the vehicle transverse
direction.
[0036] A supporting portion 38 which has vertical walls 34 and 36
which oppose each other substantially in the vehicle longitudinal
direction is integrally formed at the cylinder portion 24 of the
retainer 22. A lower end portion of a bar-shaped lever main body 40
is positioned between the vertical walls 34 and 36 of the
supporting portion 38. The lever main body 40 also forms the shift
lever 20 together with the retainer 22. The longitudinal direction
of the lever main body 40 is substantially along the vehicle
vertical direction (i.e., the direction indicated by the arrow UP
and the direction opposite to the direction indicated by the arrow
UP in FIG. 1). A through-hole which is substantially along the
vehicle longitudinal direction is formed at the lower end portion
of the lever main body 40. The through-hole at the lower end
portion of the lever main body 40 is disposed coaxially with
respect to through-holes coaxially formed at the vertical walls 34
and 36 substantially along the vehicle longitudinal direction. In
this state, a pin shaft 42 passes through the through-holes. In
this way, the lever main body 40 is axially supported with respect
to the retainer 22 so as to be pivotable in a predetermined range
with an axial direction being substantially the vehicle
longitudinal direction.
[0037] A knob 44 for griping which also forms the shift lever 20
together with the retainer 22 and the lever main body 40 is screwed
onto an upper end portion of the lever main body 40. If a vehicle
occupant grips the knob 44 and pushes or pulls the knob 44
substantially in the vehicle transverse direction, the lever main
body 40 pivots transversely about the pin shaft 42 with the axial
direction being substantially the vehicle longitudinal direction.
Further, if the vehicle occupant pushes or pulls the knob 44
substantially in the vehicle longitudinal direction or the vehicle
transverse direction, the lever main body 40 presses the vertical
walls 34 and 36 of the retainer 22. As a result, the lever main
body 40, together with the retainer 22, pivots longitudinally about
the shaft control 30 with the axial direction being substantially
the vehicle transverse direction.
[0038] An anchoring piece 46 is extended from the vertical wall 34
of the retainer 22 toward the side thereof opposite to the side at
which the vertical wall 36 is formed (i.e., substantially toward
the vehicle forward direction). One end of a wire (not shown) is
anchored to an anchoring pin 48 formed at the anchoring piece 46.
The other end of the wire is connected in a mechanical manner
directly or indirectly to an automatic transmission or a controller
which controls the automatic transmission. In accordance with
pivoting of the retainer 22, the wire operates the automatic
transmission or the controller that controls the automatic
transmission.
[0039] A housing 50 is disposed substantially at the vehicle upward
side of the above-described base 12. The housing 50 includes an
upper housing 52 which is formed in a box shape and is open
substantially toward the vehicle downward side (i.e., toward the
direction opposite to the direction indicated by the arrow UP in
FIG. 1) and a lower housing 54 which is provided under the upper
housing 52.
[0040] A shift hole 56 which winds substantially in the vehicle
longitudinal direction and in the vehicle transverse direction is
formed at an upper face portion of the upper housing 52. The
above-described lever main body 40 passes through the shift hole 56
so as to be pivotable along the shift hole 56.
[0041] Characters 58 such as "P", "R" and "N" and the like are
formed to be arranged substantially in the vehicle longitudinal
direction. These characters 58 indicate a plurality of shift ranges
set in the automatic transmission of the vehicle (not shown). "P"
indicates a parking range (which hereinafter is simply referred to
as a "P range") in which driving wheels of the vehicle are locked.
"R" indicates a reverse range (which hereinafter is simply referred
to as an "R range") in which the driving wheels of the vehicle are
driven in reverse. "N" indicates a neutral range (which hereinafter
is simply referred to as an "N range") in which transmission of
driving force to the vehicle is cut off and the driving wheels can
rotate freely. "D" represents a drive range (which hereinafter is
simply referred to as a "D range") in which the driving wheels of
the vehicle are rotated forward. "4" to the right of the character
"D" indicates a 4 range in which although the driving wheels are
rotated forward as in the D range, the driving wheels are rotated
forward in a transmission mode different from that of the D range.
"3", "2" and "L", to the left of the character "2" indicate a 3
range, a 2 range and a low range (which hereinafter is simply
referred to as an "L range") respectively, in which ranges,
although the driving wheels are driven forward as in the D range,
transmission modes thereof are different from that of the D
range.
[0042] In the shift lever device 10 of the present invention, when
the lever main body 40 which passes through the shift hole 56 is
positioned beside one of these characters 58, the shift range of
the automatic transmission is switched to a shift range
corresponding to the character 58. FIGS. 2 through 5 show
relationships between positions of the lever main body 40 within
the shift hole 56 and the above-described shift ranges. FIGS. 2
through 5 will be briefly explained hereinafter. Circles formed by
solid lines and imaginary lines (two-dot-chain lines) indicate the
lever main body 40. Characters shown within the circles, such as P,
R, N and the like, indicate that when the lever main body 40 is
positioned at one of the circles, the shift range is switched to
the shift range corresponding to the character. In the following
explanation, positions of the lever main body 40 (shift positions)
corresponding to respective shift ranges are, for convenience,
simply denoted by corresponding characters and referred to as the
"P position", the "N position", the "D position", the "4 position",
the "3 position", the "2 position" and the "L position",
respectively. Arrows A through G, connecting between centers of the
circles which indicate the lever main body 40 at respective shift
positions, indicate a locus of movement of the lever main body 40
(i.e., the shift lever 20) in a shift operation from the P range to
the L range.
[0043] A tongue-shaped mounting piece 62 is extended from an upper
end portion of a back wall portion 60 formed at the base 12
substantially toward the vehicle forward direction. A plate switch
64 serving as a movement body is placed on the mounting piece 62.
As shown in FIGS. 2 through 5, the plate switch 64 has a
plate-shaped base portion 66. A circular hole 68 is formed at the
base portion 66 so as to pass through in the thickness direction
thereof. Corresponding to the circular hole 68, a substantially
cylindrical pin 70, whose axis crosses an imaginary center line
passing centrally between the side wall portions 14 and 16, is
formed so as to protrude from the above-described mounting piece 62
substantially in the vehicle upward direction. The pin 70 passes
through the circular hole 68 such that the base portion 66 (the
plate switch 64) is axially and rotatably supported about the pin
70 with the axial direction being substantially the vehicle
vertical direction.
[0044] A torsion coil spring 72 is provided in a vicinity of the
pin 70. The torsion coil spring 72 is placed on the mounting piece
62 such that the pin 70 is inserted into a coil portion thereof.
One end of the torsion coil spring 72 is anchored to the base
portion 66. The other end thereof is anchored on the mounting piece
62. Urging force of the torsion coil spring 72 acts to return the
plate switch 64 to an original position after rotation about the
pin 70.
[0045] A lever 74 serving as a first abutting portion is extended
from the base portion 66 of the plate switch 64 substantially in
the vehicle forward direction. The lever 74 is formed in a plate
shape similarly to the base portion 66 and a longitudinal direction
thereof is substantially along the vehicle longitudinal direction
(The longitudinal direction of the lever 74 changes depending on a
rotation position of the base portion 66). A distal end side of the
lever 74 is extended substantially in the vehicle forward direction
further than the characters 58 "D-4" formed on the upper face
portion of the upper housing 52. When the lever main body 40 is
positioned at the left-hand side of the characters 58 "D-4", the
lever main body 40 opposes the transverse direction left-hand side
of a distal portion of the lever 74 substantially in the vehicle
transverse direction.
[0046] A lever 76 serving as a second abutting portion is extended
from the base portion 66 in a direction angled substantially toward
the vehicle left-hand direction with respect to the vehicle forward
direction (The longitudinal direction of the lever 76 changes
depending on the rotation position of the base portion 66). A
distal end side of the lever 76 is extended substantially in the
vehicle forward direction further than the characters 58 "L-2"
formed on the upper face portion of the upper housing 52, but does
not reach the characters 58 "D-4". A distance between the lever 76
and the lever 74 is larger than an outer diameter of the lever main
body 40, thus the lever main body 40 can enter between the lever 74
and the lever 76.
[0047] An operation portion 78 is extended from the side of the
base portion 66 opposite to the side from which the levers 74 and
76 extend. The operation portion 78 is also formed in a plate shape
like the levers 74 and 76. A distal end side of the operation
portion 78 is extended substantially in the vehicle rearward
direction further than the back wall portion 60 via a notch portion
80 formed at the back wall portion 60.
[0048] As shown in FIG. 1, a switch 82 serving as a detector is
mounted to the back wall portion 60. As shown in FIG. 6, the switch
82 has an insulator 84 which is mounted to the back wall portion 60
(see FIG. 1). The insulator 84 is formed in a plate shape whose
longitudinal direction is substantially the vehicle vertical
direction and whose transverse direction is substantially the
vehicle transverse direction. A box-shaped connector portion 90
which opens substantially in the vehicle rearward direction is
formed at a lower end portion of the insulator 84. A plurality of
connecting terminals are provided within the connector portion 90.
A connector (not shown) is mechanically connected to the connector
portion 90.
[0049] A pair of guide rails 92 is formed at one main surface of
the insulator 84 above the connector portion 90. The longitudinal
direction of each guide rail 92 is along the transverse direction
of the insulator 84. The guide rails 92 are parallel to each other.
Further, a plurality of fixed contacts 94, 95, 96, 97, 98 and 99
are formed between the guide rails 92. The fixed contacts 94
through 99 are connected to the connecting terminals of the
connector portion 90 through the interior of the insulator 84 or
along the other main surface thereof.
[0050] A substantially rectangular through-hole 86 is formed at an
upper end side of the insulator 84 and has a longitudinal direction
along the transverse direction of the insulator 84. The
above-described operation portion 78 of the plate switch 64 passes
through the through-hole 86 substantially from the vehicle forward
side (i.e., from the other surface side of the insulator 84) so as
to protrude substantially in the vehicle rearward direction further
than the insulator 84.
[0051] A holder contact 106 is disposed substantially at the
vehicle rearward side of the above-described insulator 84. The
holder contact 106 is a plate-shaped member whose longitudinal
direction is substantially the vehicle vertical direction and whose
transverse direction is substantially the vehicle transverse
direction. Wall portions 108 are formed at substantial vehicle
vertical direction end portions of the holder contact 106 so as to
correspond to the above-described pair of guide rails 92. The wall
portions 108 are supported by the guide rails 92. Thus the holder
contact 106 is supported by the insulator 84 so as to be slidable
along the guide rails 92 substantially in the vehicle transverse
direction.
[0052] A slide contact 110 formed of a conductive material such as
a metal material or the like is provided between wall portions 108
of the holder contact 106. The slide contact 110 is formed so as to
correspond to the above-described fixed contacts 94 through 99.
Which of the fixed contacts 94 through 99 the slide contact 110
slide-contacts depends on the position along the substantial
vehicle transverse direction of the holder contact 106 with respect
to the insulator 84.
[0053] A tongue-shaped engaging piece 120 is extended from an upper
end portion of the holder contact 106 substantially toward the
vehicle rearward side. An engaging pin 122 is formed to protrude
from the engaging piece 120 substantially toward the vehicle upward
direction. A notch portion 124 which is open substantially toward
the vehicle rearward side is formed in the above-described
operation portion 78 of the plate switch 64 so as to correspond to
the engaging pin 122. The engaging pin 122 enters the notch portion
124.
[0054] The holder contact 106 is covered by a cover 126 (FIG. 1).
The cover 126 is formed in a box shape so as to open substantially
toward the vehicle forward side. The cover 126 can be integrally
mounted to the back wall portion 60. Further, the cover 126 can be
integrally mounted to the insulator 84 before being mounted to the
back wall portion 60. That is, in the present embodiment, the
insulator 84, the holder contact 106 and the cover 126 which form
the switch 82 are one unit. The insulator 84, the holder contact
106 and the cover 126 are assembled together, and then this
assembly is mounted to the back wall portion 60 of the base 12. A
notch portion 132 is formed at the cover 126 and the
above-described engaging pin 122 passes though the notch portion
132.
[0055] Next, shift operation of the shift lever 20 in the shift
lever device 10 will be explained. On the basis of this
explanation, operation and effects of the present embodiment will
be explained with reference to FIGS. 2 through 5.
[0056] As shown in FIG. 2, in the shift lever device 10 of the
present invention, when the automatic transmission of the vehicle
is in the P range, the lever main body 40 of the shift lever 20 is
in the P position which is in a vicinity of a substantial vehicle
forward direction end portion of the shift hole 56 (the direction
indicated by the arrow FR in FIG. 2) and substantially toward the
vehicle right-hand side (the direction opposite to the direction
indicated by the arrow LF in FIG. 2).
[0057] From this state, the lever main body 40 is pivoted about the
pin shaft 42 substantially in the vehicle left-hand direction (the
direction indicated by the arrow LF in FIG. 2) and then is pivoted
about the shaft control 30 substantially in the vehicle rearward
direction (the direction opposite to the direction indicated by the
arrow FR in FIG. 2). Then, the lever main body 40 is pivoted about
the pin shaft 42 substantially in the vehicle right-hand direction.
That is, the lever main body 40 is moved from the P position to the
R position along the arrow A in FIG. 2. As a result, the shift
range of the automatic transmission is switched to the R range.
[0058] Next, from the R range, the lever main body 40 is pivoted
about the shaft control 30 substantially in the vehicle rearward
direction and then is pivoted about the pin shaft 42 substantially
in the vehicle right-hand direction. That is, the lever main body
40 is moved from the R position to the N position along the arrow B
in FIG. 2, and the shift range of the automatic transmission is
switched to the N range.
[0059] Hereinafter, as described above, the lever main body 40 is
pivoted about the pin shaft 42 and the shaft control 30 along the
shift hole 56 (i.e., along the arrows C through G) so as to be
moved to the D position, the 4 position, the 3 position, the 2
position and the L position. Accordingly, the shift range of the
automatic transmission is switched to shift ranges corresponding to
the characters shown within the circles.
[0060] As shown in FIG. 2, from a state in which the lever main
body 40 is positioned at the D position, if the lever main body 40
is moved toward the 4 position in the direction indicated by the
arrow D in FIG. 3 (i.e., if the first operation is effected), as
shown in FIG. 2, the lever main body 40 abuts the lever 74 of the
plate switch 64 during movement.
[0061] If the lever main body 40 is further moved to the 4
position, the lever main body 40 presses the lever 74 substantially
in the vehicle right-hand direction. Due to this pressing force,
the plate switch 64 is rotated about the pin 70 from an initial
position shown in FIG. 2 to a first detection position shown in
FIG. 3. When the lever 74 is rotated substantially in the vehicle
right-hand direction, the operation portion 78 which is positioned
at the opposite side of the pin 70 with respect to the lever 74 is
rotated substantially in the vehicle left-hand direction. An inner
side portion of the notch 124 formed at the operation portion 78
presses the engaging pin 122 substantially in the vehicle left-hand
direction.
[0062] The engaging pin 122 receives the pressing force and the
holder contact 106 slides along the guide rails 92 substantially in
the vehicle left-hand direction. The slide contact 110
slide-contacts the fixed contacts 97 and 99 and conducts
therebetween (FIG. 8). A controller (not shown) which is
electrically connected via the connector portion 90 to the fixed
contacts 94 through 99, such as a computer, a control circuit or
the like, detects that the fixed contacts 97 and 99 are
electrically conductive. Thus, it is detected that that the lever
main body 40 has moved to the 4 position. Then, the shift range of
the automatic transmission is switched from the D range to the 4
range.
[0063] Conversely, if the lever main body 40 is moved from the 4
position to the D position, in the direction opposite to the
direction indicated by the arrow D in FIG. 2, the plate switch 64
is returned to its original position, that is, to the initial
position shown in FIG. 2, by the urging force of the torsion coil
spring 72. Accordingly, as shown in FIG. 7, the plate switch 64 and
the holder contact 106 move in the direction opposite to the
direction mentioned above, so that the slide contact 110 conducts
between the fixed contacts 94, 96, 98 and 99. When the controller
(not shown ) detects that the slide contact 110 is conducting
between the fixed contacts 94, 96, 98 and 99, it is detected that
the lever main body 40 has moved to the D position. Then, the shift
range of the automatic transmission is switched from the 4 range to
the D range.
[0064] As shown in FIG. 4, if the lever main body 40 is moved from
the 2 position toward the L position, in the direction indicated by
the arrow G in FIG. 5 (i.e., if a second operation is effected), as
shown in FIG. 4, the lever main body 40 abuts the lever 76 of the
plate switch 64 during movement.
[0065] If the lever main body 40 is further moved to the L
position, the lever main body 40 presses the lever 76 substantially
in the vehicle left-hand direction (in the direction indicated by
the arrow LF in FIG. 4). Due to this pressing force, the plate
switch 64 is rotated about the pin 70 from the initial position to
a second detection position shown in FIG. 5. The lever 74 is
rotated substantially in the vehicle left-hand direction and the
operation portion 78 which is positioned at the opposite side of
the pin 70 with respect to the lever 74 is rotated substantially in
the vehicle right-hand direction (in the direction opposite to the
direction indicated by the arrow LF in FIG. 5). The inner side
portion of the notch portion 124 formed at the operation portion 78
presses the engaging pin 122 substantially in the vehicle
right-hand direction.
[0066] By the engaging pin 122 receiving the pressing force, the
holder contact 106 is slid along the guide rails 92 substantially
in the vehicle right-hand direction (in the direction opposite to
the direction indicated by the arrow LF in FIG. 5). As shown in
FIG. 9, the slide contact 110 slide-contacts the fixed contacts 95
and 96 and conducts therebetween. The controller (not shown)
detects that the slide contact 110 has slide-contacted the fixed
contacts 95 and 96 and is conducting therebetween. Thus, it is
detected that the lever main body 40 has moved to the L position.
The shift range of the automatic transmission is switched from the
2 range to the L range.
[0067] Conversely, if the lever main body 40 is moved from the L
position to the 2 position in the direction opposite to the
direction indicated by the arrow G in FIG. 5, the plate switch 64
is returned to its original position, i.e., to the initial position
shown in FIG. 4, by the urging force of the torsion coil spring 72.
Accordingly, as shown in FIG. 7, the plate switch 64 and the holder
contact 106 move in the direction opposite to the above-mentioned
direction, so that the slide contact 110 conducts between the fixed
contacts 94, 96, 98 and 99. When the controller (not shown) detects
that the slide contact 110 is conducting between the fixed contacts
94, 96, 98 and 99, it is detected that the lever main body 40 has
moved to the 2 position. Thus, the shift range of the automatic
transmission is switched from the L range to the 2 range.
[0068] The fixed contacts 94, 96, 98 and 99 conduct both in cases
in which the shift lever 20 is positioned at the 4 position and in
which the shift lever 20 is positioned at the 2 position. The pivot
position of the shift lever 20 about the shaft control 30 in the
case in which the shift lever 20 is positioned at the 4 position is
different from that in the case in which the shift lever 20 is
positioned at the 2 position. Accordingly, whether the shift lever
20 is positioned at the 4 position or at the 2 position is detected
depending on a displacement amount of the wire (not shown) anchored
to the anchoring pin 48 of the anchoring piece 46 shown in FIG.
1.
[0069] In the present embodiment, the movements of the shift lever
20 (the lever main body 40) between the D position and the 4
position and between the 2 position and the L position can be
detected by one plate switch 64 and one switch 82. Thus
manufacturing costs can be inexpensive.
[0070] In the present embodiment, the plate switch 64 can be used
by both a so-called right-hand drive car, in which a steering
device is provided at the right-hand side with respect to the
vehicle transverse direction center, and a so-called left-hand
drive car, in which the steering device is provided at the
left-hand side with respect to the vehicle transverse direction
center, and thus the manufacturing costs can be made more
inexpensive.
[0071] The basic structure of the shift lever device 10 of the
right-hand drive car is the same as that of the left-hand drive
car. Usually, in a case in which the shift ranges of an automatic
transmission are switched by zigzag-moving a shift lever in the
longitudinal direction and in the transverse direction as in the
shift lever device 10, the shape of the shift hole 56 of the
left-hand drive car is a mirror image of the shift hole 56 of the
right-hand drive car, with respect to an imaginary center line
passing through the vehicle transverse direction center. In the
shift lever device 10 of the present invention, the pin 70 is
formed on the imaginary center line passing through the vehicle
transverse direction center and the plate switch 64 is axially
supported by the pin 70. Thus if the plate switch 64 is inverted
before being axially supported by the pin 70, the positions of the
levers 74 and 76 are reversed with respect to the imaginary center
line passing through the vehicle transverse direction center. And
if the fixed contacts 94 through 99 of the insulator 84 are
reversed from right to left, the plate switch 64 itself can be used
without further modification, and the manufacturing costs can be
inexpensive.
* * * * *